Patricia Marroquin Norby, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s first-ever curator of Native American art, has stepped down from her role after a five-year tenure. While both Norby and the museum cited health reasons for her December 2025 departure, the exit follows intense public scrutiny regarding her claims of Indigenous heritage. A 2024 report by the Tribal Alliance Against Frauds (TAAF) alleged that Norby has no American Indian ancestry, leading to a public debate over her qualifications and identity.
This departure is significant as it highlights the growing pressure on major cultural institutions to verify the heritage of staff hired for identity-specific roles. Norby’s appointment was initially hailed as a watershed moment for the Met’s relationship with Indigenous communities, but the subsequent controversy underscores a shift in the art world toward prioritizing community kinship and tribal enrollment over self-identification. The Met has yet to clarify if it has implemented a formal vetting process for future hires in the wake of these challenges.